Device for irrigation especially of flower pots

ABSTRACT

An irrigation device comprising a closed water tank having a hermetically closable filling stopper at its upper end and a water outlet at its lower end and a receptacle formed with two cavities therein and adapted for receiving a flower pot which is to be irrigated. A first cavity is connected to the water outlet of the tank to permit free flow of water from the tank into the first cavity and the second cavity is open to the atmosphere and is connected via an air conduit to the upper end of the tank above the level of the water therein. The second cavity can receive water by overflow from the first cavity to establish a height of water in the cavities to the level of the water inlet. The outlet of the air conduit is below the water outlet so that water flows from the water outlet only when the level of water has dropped below the outlet of the air conduit. A sponge or similar absorption medium is disposed in one of the cavities for supplying water to the flower pot. When the sponge is in the first cavity water will be supplied cyclically and the first cavity will be periodically filled an emptied by the pot. When the sponge is in the second cavity water will be supplied continuously to the pot. In a modification the pot is replaced by a bed of soil and the second cavity is isolated therefrom while the first cavity is connected to the bed of soil through the intermediary of a porous wall. The sponge is placed in the first cavity.

DEVICE FOR IRRIGATION ESPECIALLY OF FLOWER POTS [76] Inventor: RogerFrancois Jean Adam, 40, rue

du Mont Valerien, Saint Cloud, France [22] Filed: May 27, 1971 121]Appl. No.: 147,383

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 28, 1970 France 7019572 [52]US. Cl. 47/38, 47/38.1 [51] Int. Cl. A0lg 27/00 [58] Field of Search47/38, 38.1, 38.10

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,221,449 4/1917 Hitchcock47/38.l 1,940,044 12/1933 Brandt.....'.. 47/38.l 3,534,498 10/1970Herrli 47/38.1 3,049,834 8/1962 Heath 47/38.l 3,125,255 3/1964Kaiser..... 47/38 X 3,067,543 12/1962 Bracey.... 47/38.1 2,249,1977/1941 Brundin 47/38 3,445,717 7/1948 Richards.... 47/38.l 3,193,9707/1965 Green 47/38.l 2,491,124 12/1949 Martin 47/38.1 X 1,231,976 7/1917Weitzel 47/38.l X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 14,554 6/1907 GreatBritain 47/38.l 570,628 2/1933 1,200,604 9/ l 965 93,741 10/1959Netherlands 47/38.l

[ Aug. 211, 1973 Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey AssistantExaminer-Eugene l-l. Eickholt Attorney-Waters, Roditi, Schwartz & Nissen[57] ABSTRACT An irrigation device comprising a closed water tank havinga hermetically closable filling stopper at its upper end and a wateroutlet at its lower end and a receptacle formed with two cavitiestherein and adapted for receiving a flower pot which is to be irrigated.A first cavity is connected to the water outlet of the tank to permitfree flow of water from the tank into the first cavity and the secondcavity is open to the atmosphere and is connected via an air conduit tothe upper end of the tank above the level of the water therein. Thesecond cavity can receive water by overflow from the first cavity toestablish a height of water in the cavities to the level of the waterinlet. The outlet of the air conduit is below the water outlet so thatwater flows from the water outlet only when the level of water hasdropped below the outlet of the air conduit. A sponge or similarabsorption medium is disposed in one of the cavities for supplying waterto the flower pot. When the sponge is in the first cavity water will besupplied cyclically and the first cavity will be periodically filled anemptied by the pot. When the sponge is in the second cavity water willbe supplied continuously to the pot. In a modification the pot isreplaced by a bed of soil and the second cavity is isolated therefromwhile the first cavity is connected to the bed of soil through theintermediary of a porous wall. The sponge is placed in the first cavity.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures DEVICE FOR IRRIGATION ESPECIALLY F FLOWERPOTS The present invention relates to improvements in such irrigationdevices to enable the same to be used not only for continous irrigationbut in cyclic irrigation as well. The device is also usable with plantswhich are not individually potted.

According to the present invention, a pot is disposed a given distancefrom the bottom of a receptacle which is supplied with water from thetank and porous material, for instance a sponge is placed between thisbottom and the flower pot at a location either near a water outlet fromthe tank or at a remote location therefrom, this alternative providing achoice between a continuous irrigation of the plant according to itscapability of absorbing water and a cyclic irrigation whose intensitydepends on the amount of moisture in the air which regulates theevaporation of water in the bottom of the receptacle.

In a particular embodiment, the latter mode of irrigation is applied toflower stands by disposing at the foot of the water tank two outlets forthe water, one feeding the flower stand, the other a compartment whosewater level depends on the rate of evaporation and controls a flow ofwater which selectively blocks air entry at the end of a pipe connectedwith the top of the water tank.

The following description will be given with reference to theaccompanying drawings, by way of exam ple, to explain how theseimprovments may be carried into practice.

FIG. 1 is a vertical section taken on line I-l in FIG. 2 showing aflower pot cover with water tank allowing, at will, either continuous orcyclic irrigation.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross section taken on line 11-11 in FIG. 1. g

FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along line III--III of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross section through a flower stand with aseparate water tank, taken on line IV-IV in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-section taken on line VV in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 1, therein is seen a flower pot 1 supported in areceptacle constructed as an annular water tank 2 and appearing as aflower pot cover. The tank 2 includes a hermetical filling stopper 3 andan outlet orifice 4, and along its inner wall there is provided an airpipe 5 extending from the top of the tank down to a given level 13 abovethe bottom 6 of an irrigation chamber.

The flower pot 1 is supported above the bottom 6 by a given distance bymeans of props 9a which are higher than bars or ribs 7, 8, 9. The rib 7is in the form of an H end the ribs and 11 extend parallel to thecentral web of rib 7 to define the limits between two equal cavities 10and 11 which are separated from one another by the central web of rib 7.A sponge 12 whose dimensions correspond to those of the cavities may belodged at will in either cavity.

The irrigating system operates as follows:

The sponge '12 is lodged in the cavity 10 proximate Y the orifice 4, asshown on the drawing, the top of the sponge being higher than the propsto touch the flower pot 1 which is composed of a porous substance; thewater flowing out of the orifice 4 enters by passing the cavity 10 overthe lateral edges of rib 8 (see FIG. 3). The water level rises in thecavity 10 and flows over central web of rib 7 into cavity 11. Water fromorifice 4 also flows into the surrounding space within the inner wall oftank 2 via small passageways formed between the ends of the parallellegs of rib '7 and the interior wall as seen at the left end of theparallel legs of rib '7 in FIG. 2. The right ends of these parallel legsare integral with the inner wall. The legs are formed with orifices 14at their upper edges to admit water into cavity 11 from the space withinthe inner wall bounded by the legs of rib 7. In this way, water fillsthe cavity 11 to cover the upper edge of the air entry 13and thereafterstops the flow of water through the outlet 4.

Conducted by the sponge 12, water feeds the pot by capillary actionuntil the cavity 10 and all the parts in communicau'on therewith aredry. However the contained water in the cavity 11 is not sucked by thepot and the level of water therein can only fall by normal evaporationaccording to the moisture content of the atmosphere.

Sutficient evaporation has taken place, the drop of water level opensthe orifice 13 a new cycle of irrigation begins. This cycle isespecially effective for green plants.

Alternatively, if the sponge 12 is lodged in the opposite cavity,instead of a cyclic irrigation, the plant is provided with a permanentirrigation which is especially beneficial for flowering plants. Incavity 11, the sponge continuously tranfers water to the pot sucking itin the cavity each time the water level falls as a result of absorptionby the plant.

The same apparatus is thereby able to supply different types of plantswith water since it is possible to obtain a permanent bath at the rootsof plants which demand constant moisture or a cyclic irrigation forplants which prefer this type of watering.

In the herein described embodiment the air inlet is formed by placing aplate 5a on a groove or recess formed in the inner wall of tank 2. Theplate 5a can be transparent and preferably is adjustable to control thesize of orifice 13. The lower edge of plate 5a may be rectilinear tocontrol the air entry operation with precision. Nevertheless it is alsopossible to provide said edge with a triangular notch such that higherlevels of the air entry 13 have a smaller width than the lower levels,thereby differentiating the time of beginning and the time of ending ofwater flow. With such a shape, the priming of the air flow is notpossible before the level of the water reaches the foot of the notch, onthe contrary the end of air flow can not be obtained before the higherpart of the notch is completely covered. The lower edge of the plate 5acould also include a sliding part in order to adjust the height of thewater in the bottom of the flower pot.

This described device is used as an irrigating ornamental flower pot(flower pot cover).

In the embodiment described in FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a devicebuilt as an independent water tank for supplying an ordinary flowerstand.

For this purpose, in a portion of a flower stand, from which the earth16 has been removed, a container 17 is placed, which includes a watertank 18 closed by an air-tight filling stopper 19. The tank is providedwith two water outlets 20 and 21. One of the outlets 20 feeds water intoa cavity 22 limited by a porous wall 23 which is in contact with thesoil 16. The other outlet 21 feeds water into a cavity 24 bounded byimpermeable walls. An inlet air pipe 25 extends from the top ofcontainer 17 into cavity 24 and has an orifice near the bottom of thecavity located at the level which must be reached by the water duringeach irrigating operation.

The uncovering of this air inlet in the cavity 24 depends on the naturalevaporation of water in this cavity and not of the sucking by soil andplants.

The container above described is, of course, adaptable to all existingflower plants.

It is clear that, without going beyond the limits of this invention asdefined in the appended claims, it is possible to modify the abovedescribed embodiments. Thus in the case of the embodiment described withreference to FIGS. 4 and 5, it would be possible to obtain a choicebetween two modes of irrigation by transferring the air inlet pipe, tothe cavity 22 or by using two pipes one being fitted with a stopper. Theuse of one or both .modes of irrigation would also be possible forflower pots disposed in flower stands with a filling of the same by sandtransmitting only water by disposing the pots in the sand to the desireddepth. The details of said embodiments could be also adapted from one tothe other and, for example, the venting orifice of FIGS. 1 to 3 could beprotected by a porous walling.

What I claim is:

l. A device which is arranged as a container adaptable to a flowerstand, said container including a suction feeding water tank having anairtight filling stopper and two water outlets, one of said outletsbeing situated in a cavity hermetically separated from soil in saidstand, said cavity being open to the atmosphere, the other outlet beingin another cavity separated from said soil by a porous walling, at leastone separate air inlet existing in one of said cavities at a level belowthe water outlet in said cavity.

2. An irrigation device comprising a closed, hollow receptacle for waterdefining a recess adapted for receiving a flower pot, said receptaclehaving a hermetically closable filling stopper at the upper end thereofand a water outlet at the lower end for supply of water to the flowerpot, an air conduit having an inlet which opens into the top of thereceptacle above the water level therein and an outlet which opens intosaid recess, means in said space defining two cavities therein, a firstcavity being in communication with said water outlet for freelyreceiving water therefrom, the second cavity being open to theatmosphere and in communication with said outlet of the air conduit,means providing communication between said cavities to permit water flowinto said first cavity when the level of water in said second cavityfalls below the outlet of the air conduit, and absorption means in oneof said cavities for supplying water to said pot.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cavities are the samesize, said absorption means being of the same size at-said cavities andselectively placeable in one or the other."

4. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said hollow receptacleincludes an inner wall defining said recess, said wall being providedwith a groove with a hermetic plate covering the same and forming saidair conduit, said plate having a lower edge which is located above thelower end of said groove and which defines the upper edge of said outletof said air conduit.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said lower edge of said plateis horizontal and linear, said plate being adjustable along the lengthof the groove.

6. An irrigation device comprising a closed water tank having ahermetically closable filling stopper at the upper end thereof and awater outlet at the lower end thereof, a receptacle for receiving aflower pot, said receptacle defining two cavities therein, meansconnecting a first of said cavities with said water outlet from the tankto allow free flow of water from the tank to the first cavity, thesecond of the cavities being open to the atmosphere, an air conduithaving an outlet connected to the second cavity and an inlet connectedto the tank at the upper end thereof above the water level in the tank,means providing communication between said cavities to permit overflowfrom the first cavity to the second to establish a height of water insaid cavities to the level of the water inlet, said outlet of the airconduit being below the water outlet to enable flow of water from saidwater outlet into said first cavity only when the level of water hasdropped below the outlet of said air conduit, and absorption meansdisposed in one of said cavities for supplying water to the flower pot.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cavities are the samesize, said absorption means being of the same size at said cavities andselectively placeable in one or the other.

8. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said tank includes an innerwall having a groove, and a hermetic plate covering the groove andtogether therewith forming said air conduit, said plate having a loweredge which is located above the lower end of said groove and whichdefines the upper edge of said outlet of said air conduit.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said lower edge of said plateis horizontal and linear, said plate being adjustable along the lengthof the groove.

10. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said tank is constituted asan annular member to surround the flower pot and serve as a covertherefor.

* l t i

1. A device which is arranged as a container adaptable to a flowerstand, said container including a suction feeding water tank having anairtight filling stopper and two water outlets, one of said outletsbeing situated in a cavity hermetically separated from soil in saidstand, said cavity being open to the atmosphere, the other outlet beingin another cavity separated from said soil by a porous walling, at leastone separate air inlet existing in one of said cavities at a level belowthe water outlet in said cavity.
 2. An irrigation device comprising aclosed, hollow receptacle for water defining a recess adapted forreceiving a flower pot, said receptacle having a hermetically closablefilling stopper at the upper end thereof and a water outlet at the lowerend for supply of water to the flower pot, an air conduit having aninlet which opens into the top of the receptacle above the water leveltherein and an outlet which opens into said recess, means in said spacedefining two cavities therein, a first cavity being in communicationwith said water outlet for freely receiving water therefrom, the secondcavity being open to the atmosphere and in communication with saidoutlet of the air conduit, means providing communication between saidcavities to permit water flow into said first cavity when the level ofwater in said second cavity falls below the outlet of the air conduit,and absorption means in one of said cavities for supplying water to saidpot.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cavities are thesame size, said absorption means being of the same size at said cavitiesand selectively placeable in one or the other.
 4. A device as claimed inclaim 2 wherein said hollow receptacle includes an inner wall definingsaid recess, said wall being provided with a groove with a hermeticplate covering the same and forming said air conduit, said plate havinga lower edge which is located above the lower end of said groove andwhich defines the upper edge of said outlet of said air conduit.
 5. Adevice as claimed in claim 4 wherein said lower edge of said plate ishorizontal and linear, said plate being adjustable along the length ofthe groove.
 6. An irrigation device comprising a closed water tankhaving a hermetically closable filling stopper at the upper end thereofand a water outlet at the lower end thereof, a receptacle for receivinga flower pot, said receptacle defining two cavities therein, meansconnecting a first of said cavities with said water outlet from the tankto allow free flow of water from the tank to the first cavity, thesecond of the cavities being open to the atmosphere, an air conduithaving an outlet connected to the second cavity and an inlet connectedto the tank at the upper end thereof above the water level in the tank,means providing communication between said cavities to permit overflowfrom the first cavity to the second to establish a height of water insaid cavities to the level of the water inlet, said outlet of the airconduit being below the water outlet to enable flow of water from saidwater outlet into said first cavity only when the level of water hasdropped below the outlet of said air conduit, and absorption meansdisposed in one of said cavities for supplying water to the flower pot.7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cavities are the samesize, said absorption means being of the same size at said cavities andselectively placeable in one or the other.
 8. A device as claimed inclaim 6 wherein said tank includes an inner wall having a groove, and ahermetic plate covering the groove and together therewith forming saidair conduit, said plate having a lower edge which is located above thelower end of said groove and which defines the upper edge of said outletof said air conduit.
 9. A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein saidlower edge of said plate is horizontal and linear, said plate beingadjustable along the length of the groove.
 10. A device as claimed inclaim 6 wherein said tank is constituted as an annular member tosurround the flower pot and serve as a cover therefor.